🐾 Beach restrictions lift on 1 October — all Dorset beaches welcome dogs again•🐾 Charmouth Beach: dog-friendly year-round — fossil hunting season in full swing•🐾 Purbeck heathland: keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds (April–July)•🐾 Shell Bay, Studland: dog-friendly year-round — no restrictions at the north end•🐾 Damory Vets Blandford: 24/7 emergency service — 01258 452626•🐾 Vets Now Bournemouth: out-of-hours emergency — 01202 859933•🐾 Blue-green algae alert: avoid still water in hot weather — check EA website•🐾 Brownsea Island: dogs on leads at all times — red squirrel conservation area•🐾 RSPB Arne: dogs on leads — Dartford warblers nesting on heathland•🐾 Golden Cap: steep clay paths — slippery after rain, bring paw wax•🐾 Corfe Castle: National Trust car park — dogs welcome on the earthworks•🐾 River Frome at Moreton: excellent swimming — chalk stream, cold and clear•🐾 Hod Hill: National Trust free car park — dogs welcome on the hillfort•🐾 Cranborne Chase: International Dark Sky Reserve — best stargazing in October•🐾 Weymouth beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September on central section•🐾 Sandbanks Beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September•🐾 Abbotsbury Swannery: NO dogs permitted — not even guide dogs•🐾 Monkey World: dogs not permitted inside — free kennels available on site•🐾 South West Coast Path: entire Dorset section is public footpath — free access•🐾 Maiden Castle: free access at all times — English Heritage site•🐾 Beach restrictions lift on 1 October — all Dorset beaches welcome dogs again•🐾 Charmouth Beach: dog-friendly year-round — fossil hunting season in full swing•🐾 Purbeck heathland: keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds (April–July)•🐾 Shell Bay, Studland: dog-friendly year-round — no restrictions at the north end•🐾 Damory Vets Blandford: 24/7 emergency service — 01258 452626•🐾 Vets Now Bournemouth: out-of-hours emergency — 01202 859933•🐾 Blue-green algae alert: avoid still water in hot weather — check EA website•🐾 Brownsea Island: dogs on leads at all times — red squirrel conservation area•🐾 RSPB Arne: dogs on leads — Dartford warblers nesting on heathland•🐾 Golden Cap: steep clay paths — slippery after rain, bring paw wax•🐾 Corfe Castle: National Trust car park — dogs welcome on the earthworks•🐾 River Frome at Moreton: excellent swimming — chalk stream, cold and clear•🐾 Hod Hill: National Trust free car park — dogs welcome on the hillfort•🐾 Cranborne Chase: International Dark Sky Reserve — best stargazing in October•🐾 Weymouth beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September on central section•🐾 Sandbanks Beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September•🐾 Abbotsbury Swannery: NO dogs permitted — not even guide dogs•🐾 Monkey World: dogs not permitted inside — free kennels available on site•🐾 South West Coast Path: entire Dorset section is public footpath — free access•🐾 Maiden Castle: free access at all times — English Heritage site•
The Wessex Ridgeway — long distance trail in Dorset
All Trails
North and West DorsetLong-Distance Trail

The Wessex Ridgeway

Marlborough to Lyme Regis: 136 miles of ancient trackway

Photo: John Lamper · Wikimedia Commons · CC licence
136 milesTotal Distance
8–12 daysDuration
Moderate to StrenuousDifficulty
4Stages

About This Trail

The Wessex Ridgeway follows ancient trackways from Marlborough in Wiltshire to Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast — 136 miles of chalk downland, river valleys, and coastal approach. The Dorset section (approximately 60 miles) enters the county near Shaftesbury and crosses the chalk downs of north Dorset, passing through Bulbarrow, the Cerne Valley, Eggardon Hill, and the Marshwood Vale before reaching Lyme Regis. This is a route for those who want to understand the deep structure of the Dorset landscape — the ancient trackways that have been used since the Bronze Age, the hillforts that mark the high points, and the chalk streams that flow through the valleys below.

🐾 Dog Notes

Dogs welcome throughout. Leads near livestock (frequent on chalk downland sections). The route uses ancient trackways and bridleways — generally good for dogs.

Dog Alerts

Lead Policy

Lead required near livestock (frequent). Off lead on open downland where safe and no livestock visible. The Dorset section has more off-lead opportunity than the Wiltshire section.

Livestock

Sheep and cattle throughout. The trail passes through many working farms. Always keep on lead when livestock are present — this is essential on this route.

🐾

Paw Protection

Chalk and flint paths on the high ground. Flint can be sharp after dry weather. Valley sections are soft and grassy. Carry paw balm for the longer sections.

Stiles & Gates

Mix of stiles and kissing gates. Some traditional stiles on the Wiltshire section that may require lifting for larger dogs. The Dorset section is mostly gates.

Seasonal Intel

Apr–Jun

Best wildflower display on the chalk. Lambing season — extra care near sheep. Long daylight hours for big mileage days.

Jul–Aug

Hot and dry on the exposed ridge. Carry extra water. Stunning views but little shade.

Sep–Oct

Ideal conditions. Harvest in the valleys, golden bracken on the downs. Quieter paths.

Nov–Mar

Challenging but rewarding. Some paths can be very muddy. Shorter days require careful planning.

Dog-Specific Tips

  • 🐾This is a serious multi-day trail — your dog needs to be fit and used to long days before attempting it.
  • 🐾Water sources are limited on the high ground. Plan water stops carefully using the OS map.
  • 🐾The Dorset section (Lyme Regis to Shaftesbury) is the most dog-friendly part of the route.
  • 🐾Many B&Bs along the route accept dogs — book ahead as dog-friendly accommodation can fill up.
  • 🐾The ancient earthworks and hillforts along the route are superb sniffing territory.

Trail Stages

1

Shaftesbury to Bulbarrow

18 miles

Hambledon Hill and the Blackmore Vale

2

Bulbarrow to Cerne Abbas

14 miles

The Dorsetshire Gap and the Cerne Valley

3

Cerne Abbas to Eggardon Hill

12 miles

The chalk ridge above Maiden Newton

4

Eggardon Hill to Lyme Regis

16 miles

The Marshwood Vale and the coastal descent

Trail Overview Map

Google
Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

Practical Information

OS Map

Explorer 116, 117, 118

Getting There

Buses from Lyme Regis to Dorchester; trains from Dorchester

Parking

Lyme Regis (DT7 3QA) for the Dorset start. Marlborough (SN8 1LT) for the Wiltshire end.

Sniffari Rating

4/5

The Dorset section is outstanding, but the trail passes through some intensive farmland in Wiltshire where off-lead freedom is limited. The chalk downland sections are exceptional.

Best For

Long-distance adventureChalk downlandAncient historyExperienced walkersMulti-day

🍺 Post-Walk Pub

The Mitre Inn

Shaftesbury

A welcoming pub in Shaftesbury at the heart of the Dorset section. Dogs welcome. Good food and local ales.

Trail at a Glance

Total distance136 miles
Suggested time8–12 days
DifficultyModerate to Strenuous
Stages4
RegionNorth and West Dorset
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